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Carlsbad Caverns to host 'Star Party'

CARLSBAD >> Have you ever seen Jupiter and its four moons or the rings around Saturn? Carlsbad Caverns National Park is hosting a "Star Party" on Saturday, June 21, 2014 at 8:30 p.m.

Far from the lights of town, Carlsbad Caverns National Park features a wonderfully dark night sky, perfect for stellar viewing. Rangers will have telescopes available for public viewing, pointed at astronomical objects such as planets in our Milky Way and maybe even a few galaxies beyond.

Viewing opportunities are dependent on favorable weather conditions. No fee or advance reservations are required for this event. Visitors may wish to bring a flashlight and light jacket. Parking for the visitor center and bat flight program will be in the west lot near the Cavern Restaurant. Neither the visitor center nor the cave will be open at the time of this event.

Schedule of events:

6 p.m. — Before the sun sets, rangers will present a 30-minute program in the visitor center theater about the night sky and what visitors can anticipate seeing later.

7:45 p.m. — A ranger will lead a "Bat Flight Program" about the Brazilian free-tailed bats of Carlsbad Cavern until the bats begin to fly out of the cave.

8:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. — After the bat flight program, rangers will be in the visitor center's east parking lot with telescopes for the public to view the night skies, planets, stars and other fascinating objects.

Carlsbad Caverns will host additional star parties on July 19, August 23, September 20 and October 18.